Date: Fri 23-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

adult-education-schools

Full Text:

Adult Ed Grads Awarded Diplomas

Dennis Williams was one of 14 Newtown High Adult Ed students to receive a high

school diploma May 12.

-Bee Photos, Evans

Appreciating the support of friends: Tammy Benning (left) is congratulated by

Kelly Stangl.

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

The 14 young women and men who received their Newtown High School diplomas

Monday, May 12, have proven themselves unusual in several important ways.

Many have already shouldered some fairly major lifetime responsibilities, such

as parenthood or full-time employment.

As a group, they are at least a couple of years older than the average high

school graduate.

Perhaps their most outstanding common characteristic, however, has been their

determination to succeed as shown by their decision to return to school and

finish what might have been started several years ago.

Entering a night school degree program after being away from the traditional

academic track for a while can't have been easy.

Yet, these students committed their time and energy to do just that - and the

May 12 graduation ceremony was an opportunity for them to sit back for a

moment and mark an important milestone in their lives.

"One thing we've found, although these 22- and 23-year-olds didn't want to go

back to day school, they are very focused on their goals. This makes their

accomplishment all the more remarkable," said Superintendent of Schools John

Reed, who was present for the ceremony along with several Board of Education

members.

Whatever their circumstances, once the graduates donned their royal blue caps

and gowns, they knew they were in proud company.

"It's a rite of passage," said Newtown Bureau of Adult Education and Training

Director Diane Thompson.

Mrs Thompson was joined on the stage by the students' teachers, tutors and

counselors who had come to congratulate each one of them. Their families and

friends beamed up at them from the audience.

As Mrs Thompson told Newtown Board of Education members recently, "You should

feel proud that this program is working - that doors are opened that were once

closed."

The 1997 Newtown High Adult Ed graduates who received their diplomas May 12

were: Tammy Benning, John Cash, Jodi Lyn Dellaventura, Matthew Devine, Chad

Feli, Michelle Galanek, Kenneth Keeton, James Pasquarella, Kate Perry, Stacy

Smoogen, Mark Straiton, Jodi Strofolino, Kirsten Underhill and Dennis

Williams.

Enrollment Increasing

Mrs Thompson is the director of the Bureau of Adult Education and Training and

she oversees the Adult High School Diploma Program designed for students

ranging in age from 17 to 24, now in its fifth successful year of increased

enrollment.

"They talk to each other and bring their friends and relatives. When they

call, we do everything we can to help," Mrs Thompson said.

The Newtown High Adult Ed program offers four seven-week semesters. Classes

are held two evenings a week at Newtown High in English, history, math,

science, culinary arts and computers.

In addition to regularly scheduled classes, independent study projects and

competency-based curriculum packets are provided. Students can earn additional

credits working at home while attending nighttime classes, and credit can also

be granted for military service, special training and/or licenses and

employment.

Students may work with tutors and guidance staff to set goals, as well as with

academic teachers. Individualized programs are aimed at helping them reach the

required minimum of 20 credits to graduate. If there is an additional need to

see a social worker or vocational counselor, those resources are also

available.

The program is funded through a CETO grant of $16,923 with Danbury Torrington

Regional Work Force Development Board, Inc, acting as grant administrator.